Sovereignty gives Sheikh Mohammed historic first Kentucky Derby victory

LOUISVILLE It capped an impressive global week for Godolphin. Their Good Cheer won the Kentucky Oaks for fillies at Churchill Downs on Friday and they won the English 2000 Guineas with Ruling Court on Saturday

- 

Sovereignty powered through the final turn and out-duelled favourite Journalism in the final straight to win the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, giving the Godolphin stable a first victory in the US racing classic at Churchill Downs.

Untroubled by the sloppy track after a rainy day in Louisville, Sovereignty gained control in the final furlong to give Venezuelan jockey Junior Alvarado a first Kentucky Derby win.

"It means the world to me," a mud-splattered Alvarado told broadcaster NBC as he made his way aboard Sovereignty toward the winner's circle.

"I thought I had a great chance," he said, adding thanks to Mott for putting him back on Sovereignty after he recovered from a broken shoulder suffered in a spill in March.

Journalism, the heavy favourite as he arrived on a four-race winning streak, finished second and Baeza, who got into the field on Friday after two horses were scratched, was a fast-finishing third.

For trainer Bill Mott, it was officially a second Kentucky Derby victory, but it was the first time he got to see his horse hit the wire first.